päätöspäivämäärän

Päätöspäivämäärä is a term used in Finnish law and public administration that specifies the formal date on which a legislative or administrative decision becomes effective. The word is composed of the Finnish words valita (to choose), pätikoa (to decide), and päivä (day), and it is sometimes abbreviated as Pä vopä in official documentation.

The concept is central to the legal certainty of Finland’s regulatory framework. While a decision may be adopted by a council or an individual at a particular session, the Päätöspäivämäärä determines when the decision is legally binding and when its effects begin. This distinction is important for compliance deadlines, licensing periods, and public notice obligations.

In the legislative process, the Päätöspäivämäärä is usually recorded in the law or regulation itself and is often set to the same date as the decision, or to the next working day if the decision is made on a weekend or holiday. For administrative orders issued by ministries, the Päätöspäivämäärä is listed in the title of the order and is referenced in the enforcement provisions.

Courts and administrative tribunals reference Päätöspäivämäärä to determine the time period for challenge and to assess whether a party acted within the statutory period. In cases involving penalties or fines, the Päätöspäivämäärä essentially governs the start of the penalty period.

Because inconsistencies between the date of adoption and the effective date can create uncertainty, Finnish law requires that official journals publish the Päätöspäivämäärä along with the text of the decision. The publication serves as an authoritative source for both the public and legal practitioners.

In summary, Päätöspäivämäärä serves as a clear, documented anchor point that binds a decision to a particular date, ensuring uniform application of the law and providing predictability for affected parties.